Travel tips from “The Swide” to survive a decent holiday in Italy.

Don’t we know them all? The tourists? Those who do behave like being in their home country? Without adapting to the travel destinations culture? When it comes to Italy it gets a little more special due to the fact: Italy is full with Italians. And they stick to their culture. Wether it is the language, though in the big tourist cities people DO speak english, or the food.

Number one: yes! Happened during a visit in Assisi. I completely forgot about and had to “enjoy” the Cathedral wearing a super gross BLACK piece of what-so-ever-plastic scarf. Note to myself: when visiting a church cover your shoulders. No matter how hot it is out- and inside.

Number two: This may be true to some destinations but if you visit e.g. Napoli, Rome and for sure Tuscany you´ll find a lot of people fluent in english. Though a little italian here and there helps.

Number three: true true true. But Supermarkets are opened nearly 24/7. Even on Sundays you can do your shopping till 8pm.

Number four: HaH! I would love to find cabs here in Bergamo. Another point is (sorry to mention this but it happens): please inform before about the prices from destination A to B. Some cab drivers are still trying to charge more to tourists. But this happened to me also in Vienna and Munich (and even in Salzburg speaking italian while driving into the city).

Number five: Due to the latest news after a football match the lists needs to be completed with: *don’t through beer bottles into fountains and *don’t spray graffiti.

Number six: Or let´s call it: how to survive until the restaurant opens again? Search a proper Aperitivo Bar! Apo-Time is from 6pm onwards and the bars serve some nibbles and bits with your drink. This is one of the best inventions ever! In my personal point of view. But please don’t behave like a tourist and shovel tons of food onto your plate. Simply enjoy some little treats with your aperetivo. Always fun when we have people visiting and they go like: wow! The whole buffet is for free?

Number seven, eight and nine: Italian table manners are a story of their own but the most important thing is: sometimes the spaghetti wants to be alone.

Number ten: Get into the flow and all runs smooth.